A couple of years ago the power metal scene in Ireland was almost non-existence with fans begging for bands to come over only to be met with the response that the demand simply wasn’t there. However, Sabaton’s show in 2012 started to kick up interest in the genre meaning that the band have since enjoyed subsequent visits (in bigger venues no less) with other giants of the genre coming to our shores such as Kamelot and more recently Blind Guardian.

Tonight ends a long wait for melodic metallers Delain to finally grace our shores, and what a year to do it in. The band not only released their fifth album Moonbathers but they are also celebrating ten years since the release of their debut album Lucidity and the wild ride which that album set them up on.

It’s a rare treat when a concert line-up is announced and any of the bands would be considered worthy headliners but that’s exactly what happened with the announcement of the “Northern Hyperblast” Canadian’s Kataklysm. As part of a massive 44-date European tour they were joined by death/grind masters Aborted and symphonic death metal pioneer’s Septicflesh.

The Deathcrusher tour steamrolled its way into Dublin’s Vicar Street last week for what was set to be the metal event of the year. With a mammoth line-up, the likes of which this isle hasn’t seen the likes of since the 90’s, needless to say the excitement for this one was through the roof.